Big Joe Turner American blues era musician, singer, songwriter and showman Date of Birth: 15.05.1911 Country: USA

1. Early life and career
2. Musical beginnings
3. Partnership with Pete Johnson and Carnegie Hall debut
4. Rise to fame
5. Later years and legacy

Early life and career

Big Joe Turner, whose full name was Joseph Vernon Turner Jr., was a popular American blues musician, singer, songwriter, and showman. He was born on May 18, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri. At the age of four, Turner's father died in a train accident, forcing him to earn money and navigate the harsh realities of early 20th-century America.

Musical beginnings

Turner's interest in music developed in church, and he eventually started performing on the streets, attracting a significant audience. His first taste of musical success allowed him to leave school at the age of 14 and begin working in nightclubs and restaurants. Initially, Turner worked as a cook's assistant, but once the owners heard about his talent, he was moved to the stage or behind the bar, where he worked as a singing bartender.

Partnership with Pete Johnson and Carnegie Hall debut

Over time, Turner began regularly performing at two of Kansas City's most famous nightclubs, "The Kingfish Club" and "The Sunset," often accompanied by Pete Johnson. Their duo became so popular in Missouri that they were brought to New York, where the jazz and blues epidemic had not yet reached. In 1938, the duo performed at Carnegie Hall, where they debuted their signature composition, "Roll 'Em Pete." This song quickly became Turner and Johnson's calling card.

Rise to fame

Big Joe Turner experienced his greatest success in the 1950s when jazz and blues were playing from every speaker throughout the United States. By this time, Turner had established himself as a renowned musician and continued recording new songs and collaborating with other artists. The peak of his career was arguably the release of the song "Shake, Rattle and Roll," which made Turner a favorite among teenagers and one of the boldest musicians of that era due to its noticeably more explicit lyrics compared to most other songs of the time.

Later years and legacy

Turner continued to perform until the final years of his life. In 1983, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. On November 24, 1985, at the age of 74, Turner passed away due to heart problems. In 1987, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the man without whom the genre may never have been born. Many consider Big Joe Turner one of the brightest musicians to emerge from the stages and clubs of Kansas City. His unique voice became iconic, and subsequent generations of musicians continued to develop the traditions of old blues, whose roots date back to the early 20th century.